Nordstrom's one-year delay is expected to hurt the 1.1million-sf Florida Mall near Orlando International Airport wherethe retailer was to have been one of seven anchors, along with SaksFifth Avenue and Burdines. The Florida Mall caters heavily tocustomers arriving daily from South America who may split theirbusiness with the 1.3 million-sf Millenia Mall scheduled to openfive miles away in 2003, some industry analysts say.

Millenia's anchors are Bloomingdales, Macy's and Neiman Marcus,a tough backfield to face, analysts say. Nordstrom opened its firstFlorida store this month in Boca Raton, FL, 200 miles south ofDowntown Orlando. Other Florida stores are planned in Tampa, 2001and in Coral Gables, 2002.

Nordstrom still plans to open a total five stores nationally in2001 and 10 stores each in 2002 and 2003. The retailer restructuredits corporate staff in August after sagging mid-year sales.